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Use of carbonized organic material for production of greenhouse crops

Use of carbonized organic material for production of greenhouse crops. Nick Savidov Crop Diversification Centre South, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development For Canadian Biochar Initiative Friday, December 12, 2008 Montreal, Quebec. TOPICS. Introduction

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Use of carbonized organic material for production of greenhouse crops

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  1. Use of carbonized organic material for production of greenhouse crops Nick Savidov Crop Diversification Centre South, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development For Canadian Biochar Initiative Friday, December 12, 2008 Montreal, Quebec

  2. TOPICS • Introduction • Objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks • Results of preliminary studies • Long English cucumber production on Biochar-based media • Use of Biochar as a transplant media for basil production • Conclusions

  3. Substrates have a major impact on growth of greenhouse and nursery plants and often determine profitability of the operations

  4. Substrates are divided into three groups: • mineral • organic • synthetic

  5. Examples of mineral substrates: • rockwool • pumice stone • perlite • expanded clay

  6. Most common examples of organic substrates: • peat • coconut coir • sawdust • rice husk • bark

  7. Most common synthetic substrate: • Polyurethane foam

  8. Biochar is an example of a new kind of greenhouse substrate

  9. Existing greenhouse substrates widely differ in their properties

  10. Properties of greenhouse substrates • Physical • Chemical • Physico-chemical • Biological

  11. Physical properties of greenhouse substrates • Water retention capacity • Total porosity • Air space • Stability • Bulk density • Saturation and de-saturation characteristics • Particle size distribution

  12. Chemical properties of greenhouse substrates • Water soluble elements • Buffered elements • Nitrogen fixation

  13. Physico-chemical properties of greenhouse substrates • Ion Exchange Capacity

  14. Biological properties of greenhouse substrates • Plant reaction • Microorganisms reaction • Pest reaction

  15. Substrate Air content, % volume Available water, % Peat 28 18 Rockwool 25 71 Polyurethane foam 84 6 Physical properties of some greenhouse substrates

  16. Why Biochar?

  17. Advantages of greenhouse media based on carbonized organic material • Higher stability • Less bulk density • Better physical characteristics, such as porosity and water retention capacity

  18. Advantages of greenhouse media based on carbonized organic material • Ability to absorb phytotoxic compounds such as phenols. • Buffering capacity • Potential algicidal properties • Not easily available for bacteria as a carbon source, which decreases potential nitrogen fixation • Can be produced from cheap, locally available sources, agricultural waste, such as straw

  19. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks Evaluate the performance of Biochar produced from various materials as a hydroponic growth media for greenhouse crops including: • basil, • long English cucumbers, • tomatoes • bell peppers

  20. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks • Measure the physical, chemical, and biological properties of carbonized growth media as a hydroponic growth media and compare these properties to those of commercial alternatives including sawdust and coconut coir

  21. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks • Characterize the “stability” (number of successive crops capable of being grown on the same media) of Biochar-based media as compared to commercial growth media.

  22. Key objectives of Biochar study at CDCS, Brooks • Conduct a ‘techno-economic’ and an ‘environmental’ assessment of carbonized growth media in the greenhouse industry in Alberta. • Conduct a food safety study on greenhouse produce grown on media produced from carbonized organic material

  23. Effect of substrate on respiration rate after 4 days of incubation

  24. Preliminary experiments with long English cucumbers

  25. Absence of phytotoxic effect of carbonized media

  26. Raw sawdust Carbonized sawdust

  27. Effect of carbonized medium on algae growth Raw sawdust Carbonized sawdust

  28. Effect of carbonized substrate on cucumber yield in comparison with sawdust and coir

  29. 2nd experiment with long English cucumbers

  30. Randomized block design of cucumber trial

  31. Effect of carbonized substrates on productivity of greenhouse cucumbers

  32. Effect of carbonized substrates on yield of greenhouse cucumbers, kg/plant

  33. Effect of carbonized substrates on yield of greenhouse cucumbers, $/plant

  34. Effect of carbonized transplant media on basil production in aquaponics system

  35. Aquaponics facility at CDCS, Brooks

  36. P3 P1 2nd generation aquaponics facility with Biofloc system GeoTube Sump P2 AB1 Clarifier Swirl Separators AB2 Filter tanks Plant Tray Fishtanks Filters Clean water Cleaning Circuit Nutrient Rich Water Aeration Solids Removal

  37. Effect of carbonized media on basil productivity in aquaponics

  38. Conclusions • Preliminary data suggest no phytotoxic effect of carbonization on greenhouse crops • The same or higher yields can be achieved using biochar-based media in greenhouse crops production • Carbonization dramatically improve stability of organic substrate • Biochar-based media have a high potential when used in highly biologically active environment, such as aquaponics

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